Prospect Advisor’s Top 30 Prospect Ranking for June

By Prospect Advisor

June 12th, 2002

The Prospect Advisor Top “30” for June

Following are the June player rankings for the 2002 NHL Entry draft. The list is provided in conjunction with the Prospect Advisor, a monthly newsletter covering hockey’s draft eligible players. Prospect Advisor has been providing an independent scouting service to NHL, CHL, and NCAA teams, fans, agents, etc for over 4 years. The Prospect Advisor has been a long time supporter of Hockey’s Future and we are pleased to be in partnership with them.

Glen Gawronski and his staff of 8 to 10 scouts in North America and Europe compile a monthly newsletter that is available for a very reasonable investment. For subscription information, please contact at them at Prospect Advisor

1. Jay Bouwmeester–D–Medicine Hat Like a gazelle, Bouwmeester is quick and graceful. Atwo-way star with plenty of size, Jay has already is virtually a shoo-in forthe top spot at the draft.

3. Kari Lehtonen–G–Finland A high-reflex goalie, Kari is coming off an outstanding proseason with Jokerit of the Finnish league. Easily the top goalie in thedraft.

4. Joni Pitkanen–D–Finland He is Finland’s answer to Jay Bouwmeester. Asmooth-skating playmaker, Joni has good size, shot and maturity.

5. Scottie Upshall–C–Kamloops Scottie is a tad on the smaller side, but he makes up forthat with great hustle, grit and soft hands. A member of Canada’s WJC teamin Pardubice.

6. Ryan Whitney–D–Boston U. Compared to Chris Pronger, Whitney is a big, physicalspecimen with an offensive element to his game. Coming off an inconsistentyear, Ryan is no longer projected as a top 5 pick.

7. Jiri Hudler–C–Czech Republic A diminutive (5-9) pivot, Jiri has been a pro since the ageof 15. Despite his lack of size, Hudler has the skills and the confidenceto be a top-10 selection.

14. Eric Nystrom–LW–Michigan The son of the Islander great Bob Nystrom, Eric was a memberof the United States WJC squad. It looks like Nystrom has inherited hisdad’s two-way instincts.

15. Martin Vagner–D–Hull An outstanding skater, Vagner plays with a lot of poise.His playmaking ability is excellent, however he needs to shoot the puck moreand improve his aggressiveness.

16. Vladislav Evseev–RW–Russia Previously seen as a potential top 3 pick, Vladislavfailed to live up to the billing this season. A two-way forward, Evseev hashad sub-par tournament showings and injuries.

18. P.M. Bouchard–C–Chicoutimi A dimunitive center with a dazzling array of offensive skills. Bouchard has the potential to move up in the draft.

19. Jeffrey Deslauriers–G–Chicoutimi A goalie with great size (6-4, 180),Deslauriers has good instincts and vision. Jeff is strong at stopping lowshots, but he has yet to fully grow into his frame.

20. Kirill Koltsov–D–Russia Some argue that Koltsov is the most purely skilledoffensive blueliner in this draft. A player with good size and toughness,Koltsov has earned a reputation for being inconsistent.

21. Jakub Klepis–C–Portland Another Czech to join the CHL, Jakub is a playmaking pivotwith above-average vision and excellent decision-making abilities. A littlerough around the edges though.

22. Jim Slater–C–Michigan State A gritty playmaking center, Slater is coming off a dominatingseason with Michigan State of NCAA. Has no glaring weaknesses to his game.

23. Chris Higgins–C–Yale UniversitySwift skating Yale freshman is solid at both ends of the ice.Two-way ability compensates for average frame (5-11, 185)

24. Alexander Steen–D–Calgary Son of the former NHL player Thomas Steen. A flashy player with good skating ability, Steen isn’t afraid to play with bigger players.

25. Johnny Boychuk–D–Calgary A physical, high-energy blueliner, Boychuk brings arefined two-way game to the table. His main weapons are his powerful shotand a mean streak.

26. Sean Bergenheim–C–Finland Despite struggling to maintain consistency all year,Bergenheim made Finland’s WJC roster. The jury is still out on this speedyplaymaker.

27. Jonas Johansson–RW–Sweden A speedy offensive-minded winger, Jonas Johansson iscoming off a strong year in the Swedish Junior League. Strength andphysical game will have to improve, however.

28. Ben Eager–LW–Oshawa A nasty, intimidating banger, Eager plays with a lot of spunkand intensity (247 PIM). He has good hands as well (14 goals, 37 pointslast year).

29. Joakim Lindstrom–LW–Sweden A Quick creative winger with a good amount of skill, Lindström last season averaged two points a game in the SJL,despite being 3 years younger than most players. Good soft hands with good vision and offensive instincts

30. Maxime Daigneault–D–Czech RepublicAnother butterfly goaltender from Quebec, Daigneault has an excellent glove hand. Continued work on his technique should improve his game.